Michiana Gem & Society Jason Hefner, Editor 229 East State St Etna Green, IN 46524

October 2011 Volume 51 Number 8

We’re on the Web! See us at: http://www.sauktown.com/Michiana

The purpose of the Michiana Gem & Mineral Society is to promote the study and enjoyment of the earth sciences and the lapidary arts, and to share lapidary knowledge and techniques. General meetings are usually held the fourth Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at,

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 805 S. 29th St., South Bend, IN. Please see the map to the right.

Doors usually open at 1:30 for meet & greet time.

Regular meeting exceptions include May (third Sunday), July (Club Picnic), August (Club Show) and the November/December meeting and Christmas party.

Board meetings are held before the monthly meetings. The annual club show is in late August.

DUES Please read and sign this section Yearly Membership Dues are payable by December 15th of each year. Please chose type With my signature I hereby release the Michiana of membership below. Gem and Mineral Society, Inc., and its individual members and the owners of any premises upon Individual $15.00 Family $20.00 which I enter under permit granted to the society, Junior $1.00 Subscriber $7.50 absolutely free of any liability whatsoever, to my Please indicate areas of special interest. person or property, and further I will respect the General Geology Gems & equipment and property of the aforesaid owners. Fossils Micro mounts Crystals Field Trips Signed Date Cabochons Faceting Signed Date Carving Beads Jewelry Making Family Information:

Name(s) Name: Birthday: Street Name: Birthday: City, ST, Zip Phone(s) Name: Birthday: Email Name: Birthday: Name: Birthday:

Please send your dues and the bottom half of this Michiana Gem & Mineral Society form to: c/o Marty Perry 29154 Frailey Dr Elkhart, IN 46514

Volume 51 Number 8 THE RocKFINDER October 2011

The purpose of the Michiana Gem & Mineral Society is to promote the study and enjoyment of the earth sciences and the lapidary arts, and to share lapidary knowledge and techniques.

Michiana Gem and Mineral Society - President Kathy Miller (www.sauktown.com/Michiana) Kathy’s Column , is a not-for-profit organization I was so delighted to see how many of us attended the September affiliated with the Midwest meeting and I know we all enjoyed getting together again. Many Federation of thanks to Randy Hill for the fine program, it was entertaining and Mineralogical Societies http://www.amfed.org/mwf/ and informative. More thanks to Linda Miller and her hosts Patty Enos, with the American Federation Annette Freel and Sherry Kobie for the delicious meal and treats. of Mineralogical Linda and her crew were very busy behind the scene to make sure Societies www.amfed.org everything ran smoothly and it did! Trista McIntosh had so many young members, but kept them busy for the entire meeting. A true The Rockfinder is published monthly except Junior Leader! July and August. What a plus for our club for all the awards we received from the Please note that all items for a Midwest Federation that Randy as our Delegate accepted at the given issue of the Rockfinder annual convention. Tom Noe as past Editor received Midwest and are due to the Editor no later than the 5th day of the American certificates and plaques for last year’s work on “The previous month. This means Rockfinder” while our club as a whole received certificates for our that the due date for the March Scholarship donations and also one for the fastest growing junior Issue will be February 5th. groups in the Midwest. Continued on Page 2 Advance items are appreciated. Material may be e-mailed to Up & Coming [email protected] or submitted via the U.S. Mail. Next Meeting: October 23, 2011 Editor: Visitors are always welcome. Doors open at 1:30 and meeting starts Jason Hefner at 2:00. 229 East State St Etna Green, IN 46524 Place: Program: Permission is hereby granted Our Redeemer Lutheran Church To Be announced to reprint any 805 S 29th Street original Rockfinder articles as (29th & Wall) long as recognition is given along with the reprint. South Bend, IN. This is in the River Park area.

Refreshments: Elise & Linda Garwood Peg Van Nevel Virginia Steele

2 Board of Directors

President: Kathy’s Column...... continued from Page 1 Kathy Miller 574-291-0332 After talking to Marie Crull and receiving an email from Rob Heinek, I

Vice-President: am pleased to report Rob and his dad Bob will continue to maintain Randy Hill membership in our club as Margaret, their mom, wife and Past 269-465-5814 President would have wanted them too. Both Marie and Rob said the

Secretary: Memorial service was really meaningful and a nice tribute to Margaret. Michelle Winters 574-267-6127 At the October meeting Linda Miller, Chair host will have a signup sheet th Treasurer: for our annual Christmas party on December 4 . Please consider Marty Perry attending the party. In 2009 we had 82 present, last year due to a snow 574-295-9050 storm the night before we still had 60. The party is fun and our last time Liaison: together until January 22, 2012. One of the main reasons we need to Linda Garwood know how many would be attending is for the number of kids 18 and 765-592-3409 under. “Santa” always likes to come prepared and not disappoint any of Past President: our youth attending. Diane Gram 574-272-6885 As President I think it’s that time of year to have you be aware that your Committee Chairs yearly dues will be soon due for 2012. Find out at the October meeting Displays: Mike Skoczylas when our Treasurer Marty Perry will start accepting your dues for next 574-251-0255 year.

Editor: Jason Hefner 574-858-9837 And last but certainly not least, we can look forward to one day field

Educational: Jesse Zeiger trips, plus a 3 day bus field trip for next year. We have a lot to look 574-259-5944 forward too, see you at the October 23rd meeting, remember we meet on th th Field Trips: John Davis the 4 Sunday not the 5 . 574-232-8823

Historian: Ed Miller Rock on, 574-498-6513 Kathy Hospitality: Enjoying a bus ride!!! Linda Miller 574-291-5027 Carrie Brown 574-266-0150

Juniors: Trista McIntosh 574-780-1162

Librarian: Pat Bell 574-233-7352

Membership: Joan Hill 269-465-5814

Programs: Randy Hill 269-465-5814

Publicity: Joe Perry 574-295-9050

Show Chair: Marie Crull 574-272-7209

Sunshine: Sally Peltz 269-683-4088

Webmaster: Jim Daly 219-778-2196

3

Trip report - Hooper’s Mine - Upstate New York by Jason Hefner After much huffing and puffing (at least for At the lower end of the mine we found glacial me) we reached the top of the mountain that grooves in the exposed rock see the picture below. had been quarried out for . The picture below is where we stepped out of the woods and entered the quarry.

Notice all the exposed . We were able to remove several of these with the tools we had although it would have been very easy to smash a finger with the method that was used.

Some of the garnets in the rock we saw were larger than a standard Estwing rock hammer is Behind us the side of the mountain fell away long. However they were up on a high wall so the several hundred feet and the view was pictures do not do them any justice. We found spectacular. several that were lower and these were about softball size.

We proceeded to walk the interior walls of the quarry picking up pieces of garnet, hornblende, and . We finally The very brief history follows: In 1898, Frank stumbled upon whole garnets the size of golf Hooper opened a garnet mine near North River, balls and bigger but due to lack of proper not far from Barton's Gore Mt. mine, which opened tools we stopped trying to extract them after in 1878. The rock at Hooper's mine contained shattering 2 or 3. much smaller crystals than those at Gore Mt. The Hooper mine was abandoned in 1929, and Hooper Since this had been an active mine the went to work for Barton. miners ended up blasting out the garnets so most specimens we found loose were totally Next time my adventures in Maine - Jason fractured.

4 2012 Three day bus trip

The Michiana Gem & Mineral Society has subsidized a Cardinal Coach chartered for September 28-30, 2012. THIS IS FOR ACTIVE CLUB MEMBERS ONLY. Our destination is southern Indiana to private locations not open to others. The owner has asked that we do not let other know we will be collecting there or we may not be allowed to collect. As a side note, the town where we are staying is very picturesque and historical.

As I said in a previous newsletter, this trip is only for members who are willing to participate by attending at least 3 meetings in the year, or help out at our annual show, or host a meeting by food donations and helping set up, clean up in the kitchen after a meeting, or help Trista with junior members at a meeting or (especially those who live states away but are members) write a least 3 articles for print in the Rockfinder.

The cost to the club for the coach is well over $3,000, so I must insist you really give this thought before you sign up for the coach or get your motel room reserved. To cancel out even a month or two before going causes all kinds of problems! The motel also is giving us a great block room rate, but only if we book all the rooms and no cancellations. The motel is the Holiday Inn Express with 2 queen beds, coffee maker, fridge and micro in rooms, heated indoor pool and a hot continental breakfast consisting of omelets, scrambled eggs, etc. all included at $77.69 (tax included) per night. I will have the name and price of the restaurant buffet in the itinerary.

You will be delighted! This bus trip is a special one since we only have access to the collecting area as a one time only opportunity and we will never have opportunity to do or visit some of the other places also included on this field trip. Plus it’s the color season for southern Indiana. If you are interested in going, I will have a brief itinerary at the October meeting for you to pick up and read through, with signup beginning at the December 4th, Christmas party and at the January 22nd club meeting. It’s a fun 3 days and everyone always has a good time and great collecting.

Kathy

Enjoying the last bus trip. Collecting fossils in Ohio many members enjoyed sitting along the creeks picking up fossils.

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American Federation of Mineralogical Societies News

Purpose of the AFMS

To promote popular interest and education in the various Earth Sciences, and in particular the subjects of Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Lapidary and other related subjects, and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the work and efforts of all persons and

groups interested therein; to AFMS Past Presidents at the Syracuse Convention sponsor and encourage the Back row: Ron Carmen, Bob Carlson, Dee Holland, Emerson Tucker, Bill Smith formation and international Front row: Shirley Leeson, Ruth Bailey, Bob Miller, Steve Weinberger development of Societies Photo: Carolyn Weinbergerand Regional Federations and by and through such Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies News means to strive toward greater international good will and fellowship. MICROMINERAL SYMPOSIUM www.amfed.org by Anne Cook

The annual symposium on microminerals, sponsored by the Midwest Federation’s only society that concentrates exclusively on that portion of the hobby, will be on November 4, 5, and 6, 2011 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, in the University Circle area of Cleveland.

The symposium, now in its 28th year, is held by the Micromineral Society of the Museum, and this year its featured speaker is Tom Loomis of Purpose of the MWF Dakota Matrix Minerals, who will give talks both Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Shorter talks by other speakers will take place on To promote interest and Saturday and Sunday mornings, and there will be several sessions for education in geology, mounting, swapping, and picking up “freebies” from the always-popular mineralogy, paleontology, archaeology and lapidary, freebie tables. and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the For attendees needing an inexpensive place to stay, members of the host work and efforts of groups society are happy to house those folks on a first-come, first-served basis. interested in these fields. Cost for the symposium is $35 per person, or $65 for a couple. This www.amfed.org/mwf includes the Saturday dinner at no extra cost. For more information, contact Dick Green at (330) 929-2395 or [email protected].

6 Coming Events Have a happy & safe Halloween October

21-23: FT WAYNE, IN, 50th Annual Show, Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Rd, Fri & Sat 10:00-7:00, Sun 11:00-5:00, Contact: Michele Yamanaka, 4336 Charter Ln, Ft Wayne, IN 46815, (260) 424-5070, [email protected] 22-23: CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH, Semi- annual Gemboree, Akron Mineral Society & Summit Lapidary Club, Emido Expo Center, 48 E Bath Rd, 10:00-6:00, Contact Evelyn Tryon, 2028 Tallmadge Rd, Kent, OH 44240, (330) 673-9664, [email protected], lapidaryclubofohio.org

November

4-6: CLEVELAND, OH. Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s, Annual Micromineral Symposium; Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval; Fri. 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sat. 8:30-5, Sun. 9:30-3:30; CONTACT: Dick Green, 1745 13th St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, (330) 929-2395, [email protected].

5-6: STURTEVANT, WI. Racine Geological Society’s Annual Show; Fountain Banquet Hall, 8505 Durand Ave.; Sat. & Sun. 10-5; CONTACT: John Lowman, 3223 Spruce St., Racine, WI 53403, (262) 554-5370.

7: BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI. Michigan Mineralogical Society’s Annual Auction; Cranbrook Institute of Science Auditorium, 39221 N. Woodward Ave.; Mon. 6:30 Viewing, 7:00 Auction; CONTACT: Mildred Hurt, 1211 E. Maxlow, Hazel Park, MI 48030, (248) 398- 6693, [email protected].

12-13: FREEPORT, IL. Northwest Illinois Rock Club’s Annual Show; Highland Community College Student Center, 2998 W. City Rd.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; CONTACT: Brian Green, P.O. Box 396, Warren, IL 61087, (815) 745-2228, [email protected].

18-20: ST. LOUIS, MO. St. Louis Mineral and Gem Society’s Mineral, Fossil, and Gem Show; NEW VENUE! Affton Community Center, 9801 Mackenzie Road, St. Louis, MO 63123; Fri. 4 8, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; CONTACT: StLRockClub.com, or Melissa Perucca, [email protected].

7 MWF Mineral Study Group (Tourmaline Group) by Kreigh Tomaszewski This month we explored the group, which includes Buergerite, Chromdravite, Dravite, , Feruvite, Fluor-dravite, Fluor-feruvite, Fluor-liddicoatite, Fluor-schorl, Foitite, IMA2009- 088, Liddicoatite, Luinaite-(OH), Magnesiofoitite, Olenite, Oxy-dravite, Oxy-rossmanite, Oxy- schorl, Povondraite, Rossmanite, Schorl, Unnamed (F-analogue of Elbaite), Unnamed (Mn- dominant tourmaline), Unnamed (Pb-dominant tourmaline), Uvite, and Vanadiumdravite. All share a common chemical formula and crystal structure, but differ in what elements plug into the six variable parts of the formula for this complex boron cyclosilicate.

This triagonal comes in almost every color of the rainbow, and it is not unusual for single crystals to have more than one color from changing conditions during growth. Tourmalines have a hardness of 7 and were originally thought to be zircons. Many tourmalines are dark colored, but the exceptions can be beautiful. Crystals are brittle, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric.

Tourmalines are normally associated with pegmatites, but they are also found in metamorphosed limestones, and in dolomites. Tourmalines are found globally, and most localities are or have been mined for that can grow up to a couple feet in length. Most commercial production currently comes from Brazil.

We had specimens of all the major varieties. Hand identification is never perfect, but by holding and studying enough specimens you can easily learn to identify the most common 10% of minerals (that make up over 95% of the Earth). The bulging triangular crystal shape of Tourmaline, and the lengthwise striations, makes it easy to identify. By sharing our specimens and a little research we are learning from each other. We had a lot of specimens to examine this month, both polished and in the rough.

Everyone who attended this meeting (that set a new record for attendance, and included multiple clubs) went home with a scoop of 'pocket mud' from the Himalaya Tourmaline Mine in southern California. No guarantee of a tourmaline, but everyone should find some interesting minerals from this complex locality. Sometimes we have surprises.

The next meeting of the West Michigan MWF Mineral Study Group will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, from 7pm to 9pm, at the home of Kreigh Tomaszewski, 653 Burton St. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49507. We will be studying the group (technically it only includes Bazzite, Beryl, Pezzottaite, and Stoppaniite; commonly it also includes , Aquamarine, Morganite, Heliodor, and Goshenite).

We try to start (and end) on time (though we often finish a little early); please do not arrive more than 20 minutes early. All West Michigan rockhounds are invited to attend. Please look up a few facts about the topic mineral(s), and bring along specimens of the topic mineral(s) to let others look at (the more, the merrier, but please feel free to come even if you can't bring a specimen). We hope you can join us as we learn about minerals from each other.

8 Stories REMEMBERING MARGARET From the Editor by Kathy Miller MWF News – October 2011 – Issue No. 505 OK all you world and local My husband, Bob, and I first met the Heineks in 1973. My travelers. I cannot keep coming parents had signed us and our children up as members of the up with all kinds of trip reports then-named Michiana Rock and Gem Club, later to be changed and other cool stories without to the Michiana Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. your help. I know my trip reports are just fabulous but it is tiring Even then, 38 years ago, Margaret and her husband, Bob, were going places and walking up totally committed to our club. As the years passed, Margaret mountains and then hauling stuff became more aware and more involved in the Midwest home, especially on an airplane! Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies’ activities, taking us along that path, too. I need your trip reports and other stories. PLEASE send me your They were great friends with my parents, so whenever a MWF material besides you will get on Convention or meeting took place, we and other members of Kathy’s “Good List” if you do and our club made plans to attend them. if you don’t then you might get placed on her “Naughty List” (I Margaret not only served as President of our local club (as did wonder if Kathy keeps lists like Bob), but went on to serve as the MWF Uniform Rules Chair for that???) a number of years, while Bob served as the MWF Indiana State Director. Seriously though, our club has a tremendous amount of Margaret was what one might say a “people person”. She never information to share. If you need knew a stranger, and always made a point to do hospital visits, help coming up with a report or shut-in visits, and funeral visitations, all the things of which a story that you think everyone will good club President is expected, and she did so gladly. like then send me a rough draft and we can work on it together. Margaret had many other activities in her life such as the Kathy always tells me to “polish” Daughters of the American Revolution, Genealogy, years as a her items as needed, which by 4-H geology leader and ceramics, but I think her priority (other the way is rarely ever. than her family, of course) was the earth sciences, and a big love of collecting and exhibiting . I have faith in everyone that you could write something we will all Margaret continued on as President of our home club for many enjoy. Well enough rambling I years while at the same time became President of the Midwest hope you get the point...... Federation. Needless to say, Margaret then went on to serve as President of the American Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies, with her soul mate of 60+ years right at Tradewinds – House of Gems & her side. Minerals Margaret’s life was celebrated at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Just a reminder that Tradewinds September 25, at the New Carlisle Library in New Carlisle, is selling off their inventory on Indiana. Margaret was always very active with her town library. Saturday(s) for the rest of 2011 from 10 am – 4 pm. Please call She leaves behind Bob and son Rob, to continue on their 574-215-1765 for information. journey without her; but the wonderful memories of good times They are located at 1407 S shared with ALL of us – a true “Rockhound” role model to our Nappanee (SR19) Elkhart, IN hobby. Thank you, Margaret!